ENERGY drinks are very popular among athletes and individuals who work a lot. But it is surprising these are being marketed for ordinary people and children who do not need a sudden burst of energy.
The drinks being promoted in Pakistan do not carry the same warning as in the West. According to Tom Morman, a writer for a sports magazine in the US, the warning labels on popular energy drinks in the US read as follows: “First of all, keep out of reach of children. This drink is for healthy adults only. Do not exceed recommended use.
Taking more than the recommended dosage of one bottle will not be more effective and may increase the risk of side-effects, which can include headaches, heart attacks, stroke, seizure and death. In other words, do not take more than one bottle. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement, or if taking a MAO inhibitor or any other prescription drug. Reduce or discontinue use if nervousness, tremor, sleeplessness, loss of appetite or nausea occurs.”
These drinks contain chemicals in exorbitant proportions. Taurine, present in almost all drinks, shows up in meat, and massive meat eaters are only able to take in about 400mg per day. One popular energy drink brand contains an amazing 1,000mg in each 250ml tin. Glucuronolactone is found in wine at a concentration of about 20mg/L at most. This drink has 600mg per 250ml can. Club deaths in Sweden are suspected to be connected with such drinks mixed with alcohol, although they are yet to confirm the results.
There is no FDA law that requires energy drinks to seek approval before bringing the product into the market. So, we will never know whether studies have ever been conducted on the effects of the chemicals contained in the drinks.
In the interest of public health, the authorities concerned are requested to immediately look into this matter and take necessary action.
Source : https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1067973